Gentle Forest

Chapter 73

Mister's car entered through the main gate.

Shannon, who had prepared dinner, left her seat, and Aiden and I waited at the front door to greet him.

It seemed safer to leave the padded vest unfastened. Aiden, habitually trying to zip it down, received a firm gaze from me.

If we were to pinpoint our remaining obstacles, aside from my health, Mister would be the only one, or technically, one more person remained. However, I had no room in my mind to think about Minhyuk at this moment.

As the heavy door opened, the Mister, dressed in formal attire, stepped in. His visit was much earlier than expected. Checking the newly transformed darkness outside, I swallowed nervously.

Entering with his eyes on the floor, Mister, in a suit, noticed Aiden and me standing side by side. He furrowed his brow but soon concealed the displeasure, revealing a more calm expression.

I made eye contact with him, feeling more nervous than when I first met him. Mister extended his hand with a face neither smiling nor expressionless.

"It's been a while" he said, taking a step toward me. Aiden, who had approached me, wrapped his arms around my waist. Mister's gaze then shifted somewhere on my stomach.

There was an unusual silence, as if a timer was starting to tick. Mister, with eyes that revealed neither positivity nor negativity, stared fixedly at my stomach for a while.

"Hello, Mister" I greeted, my voice hoarse, and cold sweat formed on my palms. In response to my polite greeting, he just nodded without saying anything. After exchanging a glance with Aiden, I stepped aside with him to allow the Mister to enter.

"It's cold, don't stand here. Come in right away"

Mister walked directly inside, inspecting the neatly organized space. It seemed to be different from when he used to live here. Though not visible from here, there was also a pink-doored nursery on the second floor.

Feeling somewhat dwarfed by the Mister's tall stature, I involuntarily hunched. Familiar with this place, he took the lead, stepping forward. Without realizing it, I tried to match his stride, but Aiden pulled me back, wrapping his arm around my shoulders

"You can take it slow" he said, gently patting my shoulder, attempting to ease the tension with a smile. Aiden, for some reason, glanced at me with a concerned look before slowing down.

The dining room was on the first floor. Mister took a seat in what seemed like the main spot, while Aiden and I sat side by side, occupying one side of the dining table.

He took off his expensive-looking outerwear and watched Aiden carefully taking care of me.
It was a very familiar routine for me, but for the Mister, it might have been an unfamiliar scene. Despite my worries, he maintained an indifferent expression.

Shannon's prepared dinner was a perfect Korean meal, vibrant even at a glance compared to my Dad's simple dishes. If this was not the Mister's order but a consideration for me, I thought I should express my gratitude towards her tomorrow morning.

I slowly scanned the meticulously prepared food, enough to break a leg over. None of us dared to pick up the chopsticks easily.

"How's your body?" Mister asked.

I deliberately looked at him without lowering my gaze.

"Thank you for asking. I'm fine. I was okay on the plane as well. I suppose I will be fine in the future too"

I replied nervously. Aiden, with an ambiguous expression that seemed like a smile, or maybe not, looked at me, probably finding my nervous rambling amusing. I subtly wiped my damp palms on Aiden's pants and awkwardly smiled.